Prospect Profile: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

Strengths: 

Nolan Smith is a freak Athlete. He posted insane numbers at the combine. A 4.39 second 40 with a 1.47s 10 yard split. He also posted a 41.5" vert jump and a 10'8" broad jump. That's a fast explosive athlete. Unfortunately, Smith missed most of this year with a knee injury so I went back to 2021 to look at some tape. Smith is a very good run defender even for being undersized at the Edge position. He is very strong and has no issue holding the edge. When doubled he does a good job slipping in between and causing havoc in the back field. Because of how he was used at Georgia we didn't get to see him up on the edge and just go very often, but when he did, it was impressive. He uses that blazing speed to fly past tackles and he does a good job swiping hands off his body and bending around the edge. He is a slippery defender that blockers can never stay on. Even when blocked initially, he uses his quickness and hands to disengage and continue to cause problems. 

Weaknesses:

Smith's biggest weakness is something he can't control, his size. Although it doesn't limit him a ton there are times watching on film where it felt like he couldn't get hands on a tackle because of shorter arms. Or he couldn't go through a tackle because he's a smaller rusher. Georgia's system also didn't play to Smith's strengths. Far too often he was asked to be the first guy diving inside on stunts and games to create space for the lopping defender. While his quickness can cause issues when he dives inside he mostly gets washed up into the middle of a bunch of bodies. When rushing on the outside he needs to attack half a man. He too often ran straight into the chest of a blocker and then tried to disengage. Attacking half a man will help him win quicker and better use that athleticism to get around blockers. A lot of his issues seem to come from Georgia's system on defense. In a system that better suits his strengths he will be able to better develop his rush plan and setting up blockers throughout a game. 

Chiefs fit:

Smith would be a lot of fun in Chiefs red. He would be a speed rusher that they have not had in a while. He isn't the type of edge that Spags typically likes to use, but lately they have seemed more flexible on the type of players they're using. Smith is also very good against the run which is something this defense definitely values. In this defense Smith could come in and have an immediate impact as a speed rusher and help force QBs into stepping up into Chris Jones. 

Projection:

Smith's athleticism takes away any ceiling on himself. He has the potential to be a very good edge rusher. He does still need some refinement, but if nothing else he offers an immediate presence as a situational speed rusher.